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Richelle Wiseman

On Holy Ground

March 24, 2008

Last week, the Mayor of Vancouver stood on the steps of a downtown Catholic church to make an imp... Read More

Underneath the Helmet Issue

March 07, 2008

It seems the only time we hear about Canada’s Sikh community in the media is when there is ... Read More

Ron Csillag

Brainwashing or simple parenting?

March 24, 2008

Children being raised in a religious environment is a volatile issue, at least to anti-theists. A... Read More

Lord’s Prayer

March 04, 2008

In Ontario’s it’s often the little things that kick up the biggest fuss. This time, i... Read More

Tip:

This year, several significant religious and cultural events fall on the same day. March 21 is the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racism. In the Christian tradition, this year it is also Good Friday where Christians commemorate Christ’s passion and death on the cross to pay for the world’s sins. Also this year, it is the Jewish holiday of Purim which celebrates victory over an oppressive ruler as related in the Book of Ester. Hindus will celebrate Holi on March 21 this year, which is a festival dedicated to Krishna. Baha’is and Zoroastrians will celebrate New Years Day on March 21 (Naw Ruz and Now Ruz). Finally, to cap off the significant events occuring on this day, there will also be a full moon.

Article Details

Article Added On: January 21, 2005 - over 3 years ago
Title: United Church calls it 'equal marriage'
Author: Mayumi Futamura
Publication Date: January 01, 2005 - over 3 years ago
Faith Groups: Other Christian
Themes: same sex marriage/blessing

Abstract: While a Roman Catholic archbishop in Toronto urged Prime Minister Paul Martin to abandon his plans to extend same-sex marriage recognition to gays and lesbians, the United Church of Canada expressed its view on the issue: not everyone who speaks from the Christian perspective is opposed to same-sex marriage.

While a Roman Catholic archbishop in Toronto urged Prime Minister Paul Martin to abandon his plans to extend same-sex marriage recognition to gays and lesbians, the United Church of Canada expressed its view on the issue: not everyone who speaks from the Christian perspective is opposed to same-sex marriage.

The Right Rev. Dr. Peter Short of the United Church of Canada issued a letter on Jan. 21, stating that the General Council of Canada's largest Protestant denomination welcomes equal marriage. Moreover, the council believes that "equal marriage is a step on the path to justice, peace, and the common good."

The letter was mailed to the constituency offices of all MPs.

"I believe that this decision has been reached not by abandoning Christian faith, tradition, and values, but by implementing them," writes Rev. Short, "I write to you in the hope that you will resist the assumption that anyone who speaks from Christian faith, tradition, and values must be against equal marriage."

In the letter, he says that Christian faith is "not an uncritical repetition of a received text" but it is a mindful commitment to the power of love, to which the text seeks to give witness.

"Every generation of the Christian faith must decide how they will honour that demand of love in the living of their days. Changing circumstances and changing ideas are not the enemy of faith.

"In fact, change is the only medium in which faithfulness can truly become faithfulness. Uncritical repetition is more like being on autopilot."

He warned that people should not confuse tradition with habit, custom or convention.

"Value is a gift -- not a rule, not a partisan lever, and certainly not a weapon. It is wrong to invoke the love of God in order that one person's

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